Three West Virginia University faculty members – Mark Brazaitis, Bradley Wilson and Jessica Deshler – have been recognized for their exceptional teaching and service to the University, students and community.
Mark Brazaitis is the recipient of the Caperton Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Writing, which recognizes a tenured faculty member for excellence in the teaching of writing. Established in 2007, the award was made possible by the generosity of former West Virginia Governor and College Board president Gaston Caperton. Caperton’s intent was to “increase awareness of the need for improved writing skills,” identifying writing as a critical issue necessary to maintaining America’s competitive edge in the global market.
Brazaitis is a professor in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of English. For more than two decades, he has demonstrated excellence in writing – including two novels, five collections of short stories and a book of poems – as well as the teaching of writing at WVU. Brazaitis views writing as the foundation for thinking and wants everyone to be better, more versatile writers. He has taught a wide range of students – from English, business and engineering majors to community members, high school students and professionals – and is the long-time director and annual instructor at the West Virginia Writers’ Workshop. Regardless of the students’ level of writing skill, Brazaitis uses the same method for discussing the work, providing feedback and ensuring they have the opportunity to experience being a successful writer.
As the recipient of the 2022 Caperton Award, Brazaitis will receive $5,000 in professional development from the Caperton fund.
In addition to teaching awards, the Office of the Provost also recognizes service during the spring awards season.
Bradley Wilson is the recipient of the Ethel and Gerry Heebink Award for Distinguished State Service, which recognizes a faculty or staff member who has provided distinguished service to West Virginia over a period of time. It was established by David Heebink in 1982 in memory of his parents, Ethel and Gerry Heebink, two former University employees.
Wilson is honored as the recipient of the 2022 Heebink Award for extended service, which is awarded annually. He is an associate professor of geography and director of the Center for Resilient Communities in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. Wilson is honored for his long-term work to decrease food insecurity and provide support to local grassroots organizations and outreach to rural communities. Wilson is also recognized for his efforts to empower students and community members to engage in transformative practice to address West Virginia’s most pressing problems. For example, in 2011, he founded with undergraduate students the fair-trade coffee initiative, Firsthand Coffee Cooperative, and, in 2013, established with graduate students the Food Justice Lab. Especially noteworthy is Wilson’s 2019 establishment of the Center for Resilient Communities, which has focused on raising up a new generation of community-based action researchers and changemakers focused on building just and equitable futures in Appalachia and beyond.
As the 2022 Heebink award recipient, Wilson will receive a $3,000 professional development honorarium.
In addition to these awards focused specifically on teaching and service, WVU also recognizes faculty who excel across all three areas of teaching, service and research.
Jessica Deshler has been named the 2022 recipient of the James and Karen Caveney Alumni Association Faculty Excellence Award, which annually honors faculty who are highly productive in their research, exceptional in their teaching and instruction innovation, and outstanding in their commitment to the people of West Virginia. Dr. James Caveney and his wife, Karen, established the award in 2014. They, along with their three children and immediate family, hold 19 degrees from WVU.
Deshler is a professor in the School of Mathematics and Data Science and interim assistant dean for graduate studies in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. She is honored for her leadership in mathematics graduate student professional development, equity in mathematics and supporting student success in developmental mathematics and calculus courses.
Deshler has acquired over $5 million in external funding from the National Science Foundation and the Mathematical Association of America, which has helped to generate 40 peer-reviewed publications and conference proceedings. She is a former Fulbright Scholar to Hungary and has taught approximately 38 undergraduate mathematics courses, graduate mathematics education courses, courses for future and in-service teachers across the state, and graduate courses on grant writing and scholarly teaching.
Deshler has served multiple years as dean of students for the West Virginia Governor’s STEM Institute, which normally provides a residential academic program to 100 8th graders from across the state. This past year she oversaw the development and implementation of the first-ever online Institute for more than 160 8th graders.
As the 2021-2022 Caveney award recipient, Deshler will receive a $6,000 professional development honorarium.
“As we round out another academic year at WVU, I continue to be impressed by our faculty members who go above and beyond in their classroom teaching, scholarship and outreach efforts,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Maryanne Reed. “I am particularly impressed by these outstanding honorees who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to our students, our state and our local communities.”
All of the 2022 award recipients will be recognized by Provost Reed and President Gordon Gee during a faculty and staff awards reception at Blaney House on April 20.
Read more about these and other awards on the WVU Faculty website.